Automatic switch.



0. P. ELDRIDGE & L. W. STEOKENRIDBR.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 29, 1910. 994,729, Patented June'13, 1911.

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7 9 I Patented June 13, 1911.

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CHARLIE FLOIED ELDRIDGE AND LEWIS wAsI-IINToN STECKENRIDER, or HEREIN,

ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLIE F. EL- DRIDGE and LEWIS W. STECKENRIDER, citizens of the United States, residing at I-Ierrin, in the county of Villiamson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic switches and more particularly to the type of switches in which means are employed on a car which cooperate with trip devices adjacent the switch whereby the operator on the car may effect the automatic operation of the switch to permit the car to either continue on the main line or pass on to a siding.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a switch of this character in which a single actuating member for the switch is provided, to which is operatively connected a pair of trip devices, the actuation of one of whichserves to throw the switch in one direction and the actuation of the other of which serves to throw the switch in the other direction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved actuating means for the switch of such a character that accidental movement thereof will be efiectually prevented.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a switch of such a construction that when an approaching car has caused the switch to be thrown to permit such car to pass on to the siding, the switch will remain in a position connecting the main line with such siding until it is thrown in the other direction, the switch being of such a construction, however, that when in such position cars approaching on the main line in the opposite direction may pass therethrough.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated and wherein like numerals of reference refer to similar parts in the several views.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 13, 1911. Application filed June 29, 1910.

Serial No. 569,614.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch constructed in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings A designates the main line rail, B the siding rail and C the switch points, which maybe of any well known type. The outer ends of the switch points C are rigidly secured to a transversely disposed bridle rod 0 which 'is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a depending apertured lug c.

D designates a shifting rod for the switch points, the inner end of which passes loosely through the apertured lug 0 depending from the bridle'rod 0 and has secured thereto on opposite sides of said apertured gear fixed collars d d. Interposed between the collars (Z d and the apertured lug c are coil springs 03 d which encircle the shifting rod D. The tension of the springs 03 d is such that ordinarily the bridle rod 0 will be moved with the shifting rod D when the same is actuated, but at the same time such bridle rod and the switch points coupled thereto is by reason of its yieldable engagement with the shifting rod capable of independent movement with reference thereto, for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly set forth.

E designates a supporting plate which is positioned at one side of the main rails adjacent the ends of the switch points and E designates a second plate which is secured to the upper surface of said supporting plate and spaced therefrom, Journaled between the plates E and E is a wheel F which is provided with gear teeth extending around one-half of the periphery thereof. The wheel F is provided centrally of the un toothed portion thereof with an upwardly extending crank f to which is pivotally connected the end of the shifting rod D. EX- tending inwardly from the crank f is an arm 7 which terminates in an upwardly extending stub shaft f which is in axial alinement with the pivot of the wheel F. The wheel F is provided with a lug f projecting from the periphery thereof directly in rear of the crank f and the supporting plate E 1s provided on opposite sides of the pivotal support for the wheel F with stops e e which cooperate with the lug f on the wheel F to limit the movement of the wheel F about its center. The stops 6 e are so positioned that a movement of exactly 180 is permitted the wheel F and so that whenever the lug 3 abuts either one of said stops, the actuating rod D will overlie the center of the wheel F so that the parts being on a dead center an effectual lock is provided for the shifting rod and the same cannot be moved until the wheel F is rotated.

Pivotally supported between the plates E and E is a bell crank lever G one arm of which is provided with a segmental gear which meshes with the wheel F and the other arm of which is pivotally connected to one end of a longitudinally disposed actuating rod H which extends forwardly from the ends of the switch points C for a considerable distance. The longitudinally disposed actuating rod is supported at suitable intervals in bearings which maybe secured to the ends of the ties or otherwise supported.

I and K designate a pair of separated transversely disposed rock shafts which are journaled in suitable bearings positioned beneath the main line rails A. The rock shafts I I and K are both positioned in advance of i the switch points and project laterally beyond one of the main line rails. The rock shaft I is provided adjacent the end thereof which projects beyond the rail with an upwardly extending arm 2', the upper end of which is provided with a laterally disposed V I ently" colored. The lamp is secured to a shaft N, the lower end of which projects stud 2", which projects within an elongated slot Z formed in one end' of the link L, the

other end of which is pivotally connected'to the forward end of the longitudinally dis posed actuating bar H. The rock shaft I is also provided intermediate the rails of the v the wheel F is rotated 180 at each actuation main line with an upwardly extending arm 2' with which is adapted to be brought into engagement a member carried by the car when it is desired to actuate said rock shaft.

Means is provided for at all times holding x lamp the position of the switch.

the upwardly extending arm 71 of the rock shaft in a vertical position and in the form 1 of the invention illustrated the means employed for this purpose comprises a coil I line it will be seen thatthe yieldable conspring which encircles the projecting end of the rock shaft and one end of which is secured to the upwardly extending arm 2' of the rock shaft and the other end of which 'main line. As soon ast-he car passes the is secured toany fixed member such as a tie or the like. Obviously, other constructions might be employed for normally holding the rock shaft in the proper position. The projecting end of the rock shaft K is provided with a downwardly extending arm is, the lower end of which is provided with a laterally disposed stud is, which projects within an elongated slot m formed in one end of a link M, the other end of which link is pivotally connected to the forward end of the longitudinally disposed actuating bar The rock shaft K is also provided intermediate the main line rails with an upwardly extending arm 75 with which is adapted to be brought into engagement a member carried by the car when it is desired to actuate said rook shaft. A spring similar to that heretofore described with reference to the rock shaft I is provided for normally positioning the rock shaft with the downwardly extending arm thereof in a vertical position.

From the above description it will be seen that when the rock shaft I is actuated the actuating rod H will be shifted toward the switch points and through the bell crank lever G, wheel F, and shifting rod D will throw the switch points to close the main line. \Vith the switch in this positionif the rock shaft K is actuated a pull will be imparted to the actuating rod H which through the bell crank lever G, wheel F and shifting rod D will set the switch for the siding. As

soon as the switch is actuated in either direction it is locked against accidental movement until it is positively actuated in the opposite direction. As soon, however, as the rock shafts have been actuated they are at once returned to their normal position by the springs heretofore described.

In order that the operator on the car may know the condition of the switch as he appreaches the same, a signal N is employed,

which is conveniently in the form of a signal lamp having its opposite faces d fierdownwardly through the plate E and is detachably COHHQCtECliHhHY suitable manner with the stud shaft f which projects upwardly from the arm f of the wheel F. As

of the switch, it will be seen that a corresponding rotation will be imparted to the signal lamp N and the operator on the car' will thus be able to determine from said If the switch has been set by an approaching car for the siding and acar should approach in the opposite direction on the main nection of the switch points with the shifting rod will permit the switch points to yield and allow the car to continue on the switch however, it will be automatically returned to its former position.

Vhile any suitable means may be employ'ed for actuating the arms 2" and 7c of the rock shafts I and K a convenient mechanism for accomplishing this result is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this construction 0 deslgnates the bottom frame of a motor car upon which are journaled in any suitable manner two transversely disposed rock shafts P and Q which are provided with offset actuating members P and Q, which when the rock shafts are actuated are adapted to be projected downwardly so as to contact respectively with the upwardly projecting arms 2' and L of the rock shafts I and K. The actuating members P and Q are normally held by suitable springs out of the path of the arms of the rock shafts I and K.

Projecting from the rock shafts P and Q, are offset arms 2 and g which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of vertically movable rods 29 and 9 the upper ends of which rods are provided with offset portions 79 and Q Pivotally supported between the upper ends of the vertically movable rods p and g is an actuating lever B, the lower end of which is provided with oppositely disposed laterally projecting arms 7', which arms directly underlie the offset portions 7) and Q3 at the upper ends of the vertically movable rods 9 and 51 If the lever R is shifted in one direction the rod 71 will be elevated and the actuating member P will be depressed so as to contactwith the trip arm of one of the rock shafts when the car passes thereover, while if the lever is shifted in the opposite direction the actuating member Q will be depressed so as to engage the trip arm of the other rock shaft when the car passes thereover. Of course if the signal shows the switch to be in the proper position the operating lever will not be actuated at all. A rack R is provided for holding the lever R in any desired position of adjustment.

IVhile a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that many changes may be made to the form and construction therein shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the switch points, a shifting rod, a yieldable connection between the shifting rod and the switch points, and train actuated means positioned in the main line at one side of the switch points only for actuating said shifting rod in both directions, said means comprising a pair of rock shafts each of which is provided with a member adapted for actuation by a car, and connections between said rock shafts and the shifting rod whereby the actuation of one of said shafts will shift the rod in one direction and the actuation of the other of said shafts will shift the rod in the opposite direction.

2. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the switch points, a shifting rod, a yieldable connection between the shifting rod and the switch points, and two train actuated devices positioned on the same side of the switch in the main line for moving said shifting rod in opposite directions, said means comprising a pair of rock shafts each of which is provided with a member adapted for actuation by a'car, and connections between said rock shafts and the shifting rod whereby the actuation of one of said shafts will shift the rod in one direction and the actuation of the other of said shafts will shift the rod in the opposite direction.

3. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the switch points, a longitudinally movable actuating rod for shifting said switch points, a pair of rock shafts, journaled in advance of the switch points, each of said rock shafts being provided with a member adapted for actuation by a car approaching the switch, an upwardly extending arm secured to one of said rock shafts, a downwardly extending arm secured to the other of said rock shafts, and links connecting said arms with the longitudinally movable actuating rod.

4-. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the switch points, a longitudinally movable actuating rod for shifting said switch points, a pair of rock shafts journaled at one side of said switch points, each of said rock shafts being provided with an actuating member adapted to be engaged by a car approaching the switch, an arm extendmg upwardly from one of said rock shafts, a link having one end loosely connected to said upwardly extending arm and its other end pivotally connected to the longitudinally movable actuating rod, an arm extending downwardly from the other of said rock shafts, a link loosely connected at one end to said downwardly extending arm and having its other end pivotally connected to the longitudinally movable actuating rod, and means for normally holding said rock shafts with the actuating members thereof in position to be engaged by a passing car.

5. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the switch points, a gear wheel pivotally supported at one side of the main line, a shifting rod having one end connected to said switch points, and its other end pivotally connected to said gear wheel at one side of the center thereof, a pivotally supported bell crank lever provided at one end with a gear portion meshing with said gear wheel, a longitudinally movable shifting rod pivotally connected to the other arm of said bell crank lever, and train actuated means for moving said actuating rod.

6. In a switch, the main line, the siding, the'switch points, a gear wheel rotatably supported at one side of the main line and provided with a crank extending therefrom, a. shifting rod having one end yieldably connected to the switch points, and its other ends pivotally connected to the crank of said gear wheel, means for limiting the move ment of the gear wheel in both directions,

a pivotally supported bell crank lever one In testimony whereof We aflix our signaarm of which is provided with a gear meslitures in presenceof two Witnesses.

ing with said gear Wheel, a longitudinally CHARLIE FLOIED ELDRIDGE.

movable actuating rod pivotally connected LEWIS WASHINTON STEGKENRIDER.

to the other arm of said bell crank lever, WVitnesses:

and train actuated devices for shifting said A. PERRINE,

rod in opposite directions. GEO. G. OTEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

